Markup vs Margin: How to Define and Calculate

Basically, both markup and margin reflect relationships between cost and price, but this reflection is not the same for markup and margin. Taking a closer look at margin vs. markup shows how these two similar words represent somewhat different concepts.

In this article you will learn how to calculate markup percentages, how to make margin calculation, and how you can use markup to adjust your prices to run a more successful, streamlined business.

Before moving forward, it is important to note that the concepts of markup and margin depend on how you price your goods. Pricing depends on whether you are a retailer or a wholesale vendor, how you buy your products – from a single supplier or from several suppliers, at one price or at different prices—and so on.

But in most cases, you will use cost to define your price. And this is where the need for the markup and margin calculation arises.

On the surface, it seems like a difficult concept to wrap your head around. But it’s actually quite simple. Here, these concepts will be put into simple terms.

How to Calculate Markup

So, first of all, let’s define markup.

A markup is a percentage that is added to the cost price of goods and includes overhead expenses, such as additional time and money factors that add into manufacturing process or the shipment of the goods. In addition to overhead costs, it also accounts for profit.

How to calculate markup percentages?

To calculate markup, simply subtract the cost of your goods from the price, and then divide by cost. Below is the simple formula for calculating markup percentages:

Price – Cost
—————————
Cost

For example, a company that prints on T-shirts is regularly buying blank T-shirts from a vendor for $10 each, and then, after printing, is selling each T-shirt at $25.

The mark up calculator will show the following values:

25 – 10
——————————— = 1.5 or 150% markup percentage
10                                                             

There is also a reverse formula with which you can define a price on the basis of markup:

Cost + Cost x Markup = Price

Accordingly, if we already know that our markup is 1.5, our markup price will be as follows:

10 + 10 x 1.5 = 25

Depending upon what you’re selling and in what quantities, this can be complicated. But in the most basic terms, this is how you calculate markup.

Calculating Margin

Now that you have an understanding of what markup is as well as how to calculate markup percentages, let’s define a margin.

A gross profit margin is the proportion of money that remains from revenues after accounting for the cost of goods sold. It helps you determine the actual profit that you are making on each sale.

And here is the sales margin formula:

Price – Cost
—————————
Price

As you see, the gross margin percentage formula looks pretty similar to the markup formula. However, this time we subtracted the cost of goods from the price, and then divide by price. If we take our previous example with T-shirts, the profit margin percentage will be as follows:

25 – 10
——————————— = 0.6 or 60% margin
25                                 

This is the product margin formula. Again, this is just the basic calculation and it may be more intricate, depending upon what you’re selling and in what quantities.

Gross Margin vs. Gross Profit

Both gross margin and gross profit define the revenue of a company, but they’re often used differently by different industries.

Let’s make it simple.

Gross profit can be considered the net sales minus the cost of goods sold, which is the direct costs it takes to make a product.

How do you calculate gross margin, then? Just divide the profit by costs.

Revenue – Cost
———————————
Cost

For example, if you sell T-shirts at $10 apiece, but it costs $8 to make each one, your gross profit would be $2, and your gross margin would be 25%.

Here’s how that looks:

10 – 8
    ——————————— = 25%
8

Margin vs. Markup: When to Use Each

You can use the margin and markup depending on your business, its size, and the stage that it is in. If you are just starting off, then it is better to use markup to know the revenue that your sales bring. Later on, when your business gets up on its feet, you can start calculating gross margin to be aware of the actual profit from your sales.

A markup is a variable value, meaning that you should adjust it along with the growth of your business. However, you can use a fixed markup and base your prices on it as the costs change. For this purpose, you can use the abovementioned “reverse” formula:

Cost + Cost x Markup = Price

For example, if the T-shirt acquisition will cost the company $15 instead of $10 while the margin will still remain 1.5, then the price will change as follows:

15 + 15 x 1.5 = $37.5

Now you know how the markup calculator works. You have an understanding of the sales margins formula and of how to calculate profit percentage. We hope that this knowledge will help you grow a successful business.

How Dynamic Inventory Can Help

Dynamic Inventory can make sure that you’re not crunching numbers.

It offers a range of features that will help you calculate markup, margin, and sales price of your products quickly and painlessly. If the costs change, you can easily adjust the prices of your product based on your predefined markup percentage.

Browse our website to learn more about how the Dynamic Inventory software program can help you improve your inventory workflow. Or contact us today and let us schedule a personal demo for you, so you can evaluate all of the features.

Stash Hoffart

Stash is a Sales Engineer at Dynamic Inventory. He is an experienced inventory management specialist and technology enthusiast. You can connect with him via LinkedIn or Twitter.